Pakistan face Indonesia in key Davis Cup clash today

Tough clash likely as rival players compete in the international circuit says Aisam

KARACHI:

Ace tennis player Aisam ul Haq Qureshi will take on David Agung Susanto in the opening fixture of Davis Cup World Group-II Tennis Tie against Indonesia on Saturday here at Pakistan Sports Board’s Grass Court on the premises of the Pakistan Sports Complex, as the Draws were taken place at a local hotel on Friday morning.

The Pakistan number one tennis player, Aqeel Khan will face Gunawan Trismuwantara in the second Single of the day at the same venue.

International Tennis Federation’s nominated officials including Hany El Khafief (Referee), Gianluca Moscarella (Chair Umpire), and Ivan Yovchev (Chair Umpire) attended the ceremony. The top officials of the Indonesian embassy in Islamabad including Yusran Hadromi were there to back their players.

Also, the president, Pakistan Tennis Federation PTF Senator Salim Saifullah, and other PTF top officials including Arif Qureshi, Mohammad Khalil Ahmed, Shahzad Alvi, Gul Rehman, Asim Shafik, Sohail Ahmed were present on this occasion. At the end, president PTF Senator Salim Saifullah Khan awarded mementos to the visiting players and officials.

Aisam ul Haq said: “Although top Indonesian players are not part of their team, however, this tie will be challenging for us, as the players of the opposite squad do play in the international circuit regularly. We have an edge of the grass surface, I and Aqeel won the most ties on grass and we will give our best to win the tie. Pakistan have a remarkable record against Indonesia and played a couple of Ties both won by Pakistan in 1984, and 2015. We will try to maintain this record.”

Coach Mushaf Zia said: “We selected the team after conducting the trials at a grass court, as the 8 players participated in the proceedings. We set the training camp on the same court to give good shape to players for the Davis Cup Tennis Tie. We toiled hard during the 45-day camp. We have veteran players Aisam and Aqeel, who have played over 100 Davis Cup Ties and claimed countless victories for Pakistan. We are well prepared and hope we will produce a notable performance against Indonesia.”

Indonesia Captain Wiryawan Sugiharta said: “We came here after full preparation, and people will enjoy good competition and world-class tennis during the Davis Cup Ties. We are missing our two best players, as one is busy with international commitments while the other got injured before arriving here. Our team members are fit and produce sparking performances. We are happy to see arrangements and facilities at the venue.”